Elevating Outdoor Recreation Together

Opportunities for synergy between state offices of outdoor recreation and federal land-management agencies, the outdoor recreation industry, non- governmental organizations, and local outdoor recreation providers

Research conducted by Brooke Sausser, a Master’s student at Utah State University, under the advisement of Dr. Jordan W. Smith, Director of

the Institute of Outdoor

Recreation and Tourism

With special thanks to the interviewees, the Outdoor program for

This study was initiated and commissioned by the Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Division of the National Park Service. Invaluable guidance, editing, and support provided by Bob Ratcliffe, Krista Sherwood, and Adam Milnor.

Will Copeland shot Kevin Parsons in the Mule Lip Bar in Mingus setting in motion a sequence of events that led to the state of Texas buying land for Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. Rodger Mallisonrmallison@star-telegram.com

It’s just not right that Kevin Parsons, 43 and homeless at the time, had to die in the early morning of Dec. 5, 2008, in the Mule Lip Bar in Mingus, 70 miles west of Fort Worth.

As told in Sunday’s Star-Telegram by reporter Bill Hanna, Parsons was on the wrong end of a 20-gauge shotgun brought into the bar by Will Copeland, a Mule Lip regular. The two apparently had a dispute about whether Parsons should leave — it was closing time.

More than seven years later, the shooting is of little consequence to most people. It was, after all, one of 123,621 violent crimes in Texas that year, according to the Department of Public Safety.

Copeland was convicted of criminally negligent homicide and spent two years in prison before returning to a quiet life in Palo Pinto County. He died this year, and he and Parsons are buried in the same cemetery in Strawn.

What was remarkable about that fateful 2008 encounter between Parsons and Copeland was the chain of events it set in motion, leading to the accumulation of 4,400 acres for the Palo Pinto Mountains State Park.

Crucial to that chain of events were dedicated people who were determined to make the park a reality. They are the heroes of this story.

Parsons’ family filed a wrongful death suit against Copeland, who settled out of court and signed over 1,330 acres to the family.

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Happy 80th birthday, Virginia State Parks

Just as tiny acorns become mighty oak trees, the Virginia State Park system has grown from a small group of parks to a statewide network encompassing nearly 73,000 acres. On June 15, 1936, Virginia became the first state to open an entire park system on the same day.

The six parks offered modern outdoor recreational facilities while protecting areas with significant natural resources. Since then, the system has grown to 36 open parks and six parks targeted for future development. Each has natural and historical resources carefully managed and preserved while providing a wide variety of recreation opportunities for Virginia residents and visitors alike.

This year marks our 80th anniversary, a year traditionally celebrated with oak, and we’re celebrating all year long. From time capsules to tree plantings and the launch of a customer loyalty program, we’re planning special events and activities.

Happenings in 1936

1936 was turbulent. The Great Depression lingered. The nation’s unemployment hovered around 17 percent. Hitler’s Germany and allies were threatening dissidents and neighbors and becoming ever more aggressive. People needed respite from the turmoil and, in Virginia, they could thanks to the opening of Virginia’s first six state parks.

Other events and facts from 1936:

A new house ran about $3,925.

Wages averaged $1,713 a year.

Gas was 10 cents a gallon, and a loaf of bread would set you back 8 cents. You could buy an ounce of gold for $35.

The Girl Scouts switched from homemade to commercially baked cookies.

Robert Redford, Carol Burnett, Burt Reynolds, Buddy Holly and John McCain were born.

RCA broadcasted the first real TV show.

Delco introduced the in-dash car radio.

President Roosevelt was elected to a second term.

The last American public hanging took place.

Hoover Dam was finished.

Jesse Owens defied Adolph Hitler and his theories of Aryan superiority by winning four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

Many of the early parks and preservation projects accomplished in the United States were through legislative acts by
the states. There was recognition of this growing responsibility in a relatively new field of public service. It
was through early successes that such American landmarks as Niagara Falls, the California redwoods, and the San
Jacinto battleground were saved for prosperity. A few years later, guided by Stephen Mather, the first National
Conference on [State] Parks to promote state and other public parks was conceived, organized, convened and actively
supported by practically every park and conservation luminary in the country. Held in Des Moines, Iowa in January
1921, it brought together some 200 highly motivated delegates and ignited a “prairie fire” for the development of
public parks across America. From the success of this auspicious convocation of modest beginnings grew a national
state park movement that has achieved unimaginable success.11Adapted from The State Park Movement in America by Ney Landrum

America’s State Parks today include more than 2,200 traditional state parks and more than 8,100 additional
areas that provide wonderful outdoor recreation experiences and unique historical, scientific and environmental
education opportunities. Eighteen and one-half million acres provide for grand diversity – from the vastness of a
half-million acre mountainous landscape, to the colorful intricacies of a living coral reef, to the world’s longest
stalactite formation, to the tallest sand on the Atlantic seaboard, to the historic locations where European
settlers first came to America, and much more. This mosaic of the natural resources and cultural fabric of America
and the splendor of its beauty are enjoyed by 791 million visitors to state parks annually. Both remote and resort
in their offerings, America’s State Parks are indeed yours to explore and experience.

Now, as during the past century and the beginning of the state park movement, the support of partners are invaluable
to success of parks. America’s State Parks have long been recognized their accessibility, and for
their effectiveness and management efficiencies.

Support from individuals, friends groups and corporate America are central to continuing to provide and advance quality
outdoor recreation experiences and opportunities in America’s State Parks and safeguard their importance to the
nation’s environment, heritage, health and economy.